Monomagnesium phosphate is one of the forms of

magnesium phosphate Magnesium phosphate is a general term for salts of magnesium and phosphate appearing in several forms and several hydrates: * Monomagnesium phosphate: Mg(H2PO4)2·nH2O * Dimagnesium phosphate: Mg(HPO4)·nH2O * Trimagnesium phosphate: Mg3 ...

. It is a

magnesium Magnesium is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Mg and atomic number 12. It is a shiny gray metal having a low density, low melting point and high chemical reactivity. Like the other alkaline earth metals (group 2 ...

acid salt An acid is a molecule or ion capable of either donating a proton (i.e. hydrogen cation, H+), known as a Brønsted–Lowry acid, or forming a covalent bond with an electron pair, known as a Lewis acid. The first category of acids are the ...

phosphoric acid Phosphoric acid (orthophosphoric acid, monophosphoric acid or phosphoric(V) acid) is a colorless, odorless phosphorus-containing solid, and inorganic compound with the chemical formula . It is commonly encountered as an 85% aqueous solution, ...

with the chemical formula Mg(H₂PO₄)₂.
Di- and tetrahydrates are known also. It dissolves in water, forming phosphoric acid and depositing a solid precipitate of Mg(HPO₄)·3H₂O, dimagnesium phosphate. As a

food additive Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance taste, appearance, or other sensory qualities. Some additives, such as vinegar ( pickling), salt ( salting), smoke ( smoking) and sugar ( crystallization), have been used f ...

, it is used as an

acidity regulator Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives used to change or maintain pH ( acidity or basicity). They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents. Typical agents include the following ac ...

and has the

E number E numbers, short for Europe numbers, are codes for substances used as food additives, including those found naturally in many foods, such as vitamin C, for use within the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Commonly ...

E343.

References

{{inorganic-compound-stub Phosphates Magnesium compounds Acid salts Food additives E-number additives